Strain Gauge Solutions

Wireless Strain Gauge Solutions

The Mote is a wireless sensor module

Heavy equipment and infrastructure are subject to tremendous strain in normal operating conditions. Over time, the equipment can crack, leading to increased risk of catastrophic failure. Operators need to monitor equipment strain levels to ensure proper maintenance and safe operation.

Scanimetrics' wireless strain gauge monitoring system can be used in a range of applications including strain measurement for mobile mining equipment, pipelines, plant equipment, buildings, and bridges. It's small, reliable, and easy to install. Once installed, the system delivers accurate strain data from critical equipment straight to your computer.

General Description

The wireless strain gauge system provides a foil-based strain measurement system with wireless data acquisition. It combines wireless sensor pods (referred to as “Motes”) with a master data capture unit connected to a portable computer. The sensor pods can be mounted either with spot welds to a surface or attached with epoxy. The sensor pod incorporates a battery, eliminating the need for an external power supply.

Once the sensor pod has been activated, it can be configured to provide 1 year of operation. The master data capture unit can be up to 10 m from the wireless sensor pods to receive the strain data being transmitted in normal non-direct line of sight operating environments. The wireless sensor pods operate as a mesh network and can relay data between the master and units which are not directly reachable by the master. This enables sensor pods to be placed deep inside machinery and still be accessible by the master.